Steppesister
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2013
And I'll wave back! I hope you'll check in often as I make my way across this beautiful country of ours!Well you aren't passing through here but I'll wave!
And I'll wave back! I hope you'll check in often as I make my way across this beautiful country of ours!Well you aren't passing through here but I'll wave!
And now it's YOUR turn: Where would you go on a Grand Adventure if you could leave tomorrow. Would you move there? Visit? For how long?
Massive win! Won another lucky dip with my lucky dip So we got 2 chances this weekDP? Win big yet?
PerfectI am. I'll DM you my name.
The one thing that the Covid lock down did was to show us how nice it was to bring picnic lunches on our excursions. Even something as simple as taking the family to the museum ended up being an enjoyable picnic by the lake instead of an expensive, sub-par meal in the museum restaurant.Zach and I are more open to, and even happy about, picnicking or eating fast food for lunches and eating simply for breakfasts than they would have been. Most of our Western States portion takes us through some pretty remote locales and having a cooler and no hard agenda to eat fancy will make things so much easier.
My basket was upset yesterday when Greg and Marcia called and said they just aren't comfortable with travel right now and don't want to go. I am not upset per se realizing that everyone must do what they feel is best for them.
1) We'd planned on sharing a lot of the hotel rooms along the way which is now going to result in my spending twice as much on those.
Solution: I'm going to propose to Zach that some of our nights we'll camp along Forest Service Roads or other safer places here and there. My Nissan Rogue has fold-down seats so that we can easily sleep in the car. Unfortunately, it will require a bit of extra planning to find suitable places.
3) Two fewer people to have to please with eating and stopping.
Solution: I've asked G&M if they could maybe type up some of the directions and names of the places or people they've mentioned. Marcia is going to give me a map that she'd highlighted as well. Also, I bought a big US Atlas so I can map some things out given that we're cutting out Tucson and adding some other stuff. Then from that "big picture" I can plug in each day's route into the GPS. Did I mention how much I LOVE maps?!
G&M did say that they will be going there in January "no matter what". Not sure I understand that logic if nothing changes.
That is one heck of an "adventure" and change!! WOWZA! But how odd that your neighbors are so unfriendly and well... rude. Totally don't get that.<waves ! > Following along, with happy anticipation.
I've already gone on mine...
Sort of similar to yours, but also vastly different.
I, too, left Salem (NH) for a new place many miles from there, in a completely different culture and community.
Shortly after my husband of 33 years passed in April 2020, I ran away from home... ...... I left behind no family, no friends, and only a few acquaintances.
Scoured the internet, and bought a house in a retirement community - 1000 miles and 8 states away, practically sight unseen.
I started packing some boxes, and read reviews, then picked a reliable and recommended moving company to pack and move the things I wanted to bring with me.
Long story short - I ended up having a PODS (moving cargo container) packed - extremely poorly - by the estate sale coordinator, after my movers cancelled the job 3 days before I was leaving.
I frantically marked, labelled, and wrote sticky notes....
So I crammed my car with Cs -- China, Corningware, cast iron, clothing, cook books, comforters, crocheted afghans, and most importantly cats. I have 2 - both boys: tuxedo coon mix, and siamese chocolate point.
Then I drove south for 4 days. Arrived in the midst of the pandemic lockdown, just in time for Thanksgiving
My PODS was finally delivered and unpacked the day after Christmas
My real estate agent (Bless her!) left a couple of meals in my fridge, and checked in on me frequently for the first few months.
<sc>Wonderfully welcoming place... </sc>
Nearly a year later, I still haven't had my "welcome home" tour of the main complex and resident facilities, and most of the neighbours duck back in their house instantly if I happen to go out to get my mail while they're out working on their flower beds.
And the reception desk lost my birthday present for 2 weeks because they didn't have a clue who the package was for - even though I'm in the Resident Directory...
So, that's MY Grand Adventure. It's been... interesting
Woot!! We'll have so much fun when you win big!!Massive win! Won another lucky dip with my lucky dip So we got 2 chances this week
Perfect
Those are some major changes to your travel plans. At least you still have Zach.
Turns out we're gonna have to do a ton of that given the route I've chosen as you'll see! LOTS of rural, remote stuff! But we like sandwiches and cooler stuff and can eat well when we're in cities.The one thing that the Covid lock down did was to show us how nice it was to bring picnic lunches on our excursions. Even something as simple as taking the family to the museum ended up being an enjoyable picnic by the lake instead of an expensive, sub-par meal in the museum restaurant.
Well, that's a bummer. And I'm sure a bit stressful at the last minute.
Yikes. I can't imagine that's going to be much fun.
Just you wait!!!Makes sense to me. Hope you can come up with some cool stops!
Certainly is. Sometimes I just sit and wonder 'wth was I thinking?'That is one heck of an "adventure" and change!! WOWZA!
I'm not sure it's entirely rudeness, I think some of it's fear of the 'stranger'. Who knows what germs the damyankee might carry.But how odd that your neighbors are so unfriendly and well... rude. Totally don't get that.
If 'brave' means forging ahead while devastated and terrified, then yeah.You are one brave lady to venture out without a network to support you!!
I didn't have any problem with PODS, they did a very good job with what they had.I'm using a moving pod too (U-Pack) and it's supposed to be delivered Friday. We'll have until Tuesday morning to pack it up, which should be plenty of time!
However, my movers also have been a bit wishy-washy and I'm getting nervous. I went over to their apt yesterday (they own a moving business, but my moonlight me) and he said he'd let me know which day, but I haven't heard. I'll go over again in a bit. Otherwise, I'm scrambling at this point.
Lots of big changes to your plans but I think your right and I love your positive attitude.It was, but I think I've adjusted well and actually I think our route is going to be even better!
Now ya know!
Boy did you say a mouthful.If I've learned anything this past year and a half it's that changes are now normal and nothing can really be predicted.
But you can put your chickens in a basket and count your eggs.Chickens aren't to be counted and eggs shouldn't all be put into one basket.
Oh, no! Talk about a last minute (mostly) bombshell!Greg and Marcia called and said they just aren't comfortable with travel right now and don't want to go.
1) We'd planned on sharing a lot of the hotel rooms along the way which is now going to result in my spending twice as much on those.
Hope that works out for you guys. Have a blow up mattress (with pump) or sleeping pads??Solution: I'm going to propose to Zach that some of our nights we'll camp along Forest Service Roads or other safer places here and there. My Nissan Rogue has fold-down seats so that we can easily sleep in the car. Unfortunately, it will require a bit of extra planning to find suitable places.
But... you don't want to check your trailer?Also, it completely cuts out the stop in Tucson shaving off at least 3 days.
Well... there's that. I get that.3) Two fewer people to have to please with eating and stopping.
Ugh...4) Some planned stops may be harder to find because our guide is lost. I was depending on Greg to help us find a few places they’d recommended.
That's good at least.Solution: I've asked G&M if they could maybe type up some of the directions and names of the places or people they've mentioned. Marcia is going to give me a map that she'd highlighted as well. Also, I bought a big US Atlas so I can map some things out given that we're cutting out Tucson and adding some other stuff. Then from that "big picture" I can plug in each day's route into the GPS.
Did I mention how much I LOVE maps?!
Good point.5) My Tucson stuff won't be there until January now.
Response: That's okay. Now I won't have to worry about it getting stolen or vandalized.
That's a bucket list item of mine. I'd love to travel the full length of Route 66. (Yes I know some of it's gone now.)we’ll stick to Old Route 66
I see what you did there.we’ll stick to Old Route 66 and find some kicks in Amboy.
Neat.there are some cool salt flats and working salt mines there that are worth the drive.
Another bucket list item. See the Grand Canyon.This is where we’ll get some lesser known views of the Grand Canyon area and some other interesting sites.
Sounds pretty cool.The Johnson Railroad Tunnel. Here is a description for you if you’re interested! Looks GREAT!! I love that it’s easy and only takes about 3 hours. And I think it may afford some cool photo ops!
Really! No way! Still have it?I did BOATLOADS of rockhounding (even found a legit ruby),
I guess this is a dumb question, but... what's a cattle tank that you cool off in??sitting in cattle tanks to cool off.
Just west of Prescott Valley, our route turns east and we’ll mosey, twist, and turn our way up to Jerome. I’m ridiculously excited about this, but I think since I was there last it looks like it’s taken a turn for the “touristy”. Ugh. 35 years ago, you could amble as you might going into the old buildings and exploring. Still, I love a good old mining town.
Heard of them. Would love to see.No trip to the area would be complete without showing Zach Montezuma’s Castle Cliff Dwelling ruins!
Really! Huh!Traveling north from there, the obvious next stop is Red Rock Canyon near Sedona. This may be the most beautiful spot on the planet.
If it’s a hot day, we may take a plunge at Slide Rock- I need to remember to bring a trash bag to slide on!!
I'd love to see that too.then hit up some REAL dinosaur tracks at Moenkopi! I’ve done it before, but never, ever get tired of stuff like that. This area is my jam, Folks!
Lee’s Ferry is next with some fantastic photo stops at Marble Canyon, Balanced Rock, Cathedral Rock (with a possible hike here), and then a stop at the Vermillion Cliffs for a breather.
So you're bringing a tent, then? Or do you mean sleeping in the car?The end destination for this day is the North Rim where we can pitch our tent for free anywhere in the National Forest.
Thank you. Never would have guessed.Canyon de Chelly (pronounced de SHAY).
Different times. Plus we all think we'll live forever when we're that age.The Goosenecks affords one of my clearest and earliest memories of solo traveling and was perhaps one of my most risky moves as a young 20-year old off doing her own thing. I decided to camp at the Viewpoint and was just staring off into this most amazing view and a single guy pulled up to do the same thing. He was friendly enough and said hi, we chatted for a few minutes and then we each minded our own business. It wasn’t until a few years later when I had my own kids that I thought back on that and realized how vulnerable I was that night.
We went to Sedona twice and loved hiking in the canyon. Sedona itself had gotten a little too touristy for us, though, so we haven't returned. But it is very pretty there.Traveling north from there, the obvious next stop is Red Rock Canyon near Sedona. This may be the most beautiful spot on the planet. If it’s a hot day, we may take a plunge at Slide Rock- I need to remember to bring a trash bag to slide on!!
Certainly is. Sometimes I just sit and wonder 'wth was I thinking?'
But - as you said "Adventure is out there" and like Carl, I'm on my own.
I'm still adjusting to a completely different lifestyle - but I'm seriously starting to think about a trip to the 'House of Mouse' sometime in the next year or so.
We had a trip planned before my DH became ill. He wanted me to go without him, but I cancelled out after an incident, and I was very glad I did.
<sigh> I have tickets to use... (and VISA points).
I'm not sure it's entirely rudeness, I think some of it's fear of the 'stranger'. Who knows what germs the damyankee might carry.
Also, one of the neighbours who does talk to me said "Don't worry about her - #21 doesn't talk to ANYBODY on the street, it's not just you "
If 'brave' means forging ahead while devastated and terrified, then yeah.
I wasn't going to have one if I stayed, either.
But I just couldn't stay in 'our' house by myself, and it was too big for 1 person to take care of. It needed a new owner who could give it the care it deserved.
So I decided that it was time to move away. And we'd planned to eventually move south after he retired, so I just went with it, and started looking.
Something about this place I ended up in just said "This is where you need to be" while I was reseaching senior communities. Time will tell - but most of the people I've met are nice, and seem to be quite happy here.
Maybe I'll find some fellow Mouse-a-holics °0°
I didn't have any problem with PODS, they did a very good job with what they had.
It was the amateurclownspacking crew I had problems with.
Lack of communication, mis-interpreted instructions, and apparently not a -ing clue HOW to pack a container. Rope and moving blankets were not part of their technique. A lot of things marked for packing never even made it into the container
I originally had one of the national moving companies, who would pack, load, move and unpack. The PODS was a last-minute plan of desperation.
Hopefully, it'll all work out. But unless, like me, you're leaving a lot behind, you should be able to get at least a crew to help shift and load.
That was (I think) part of my problems). The office assured me it was fine, and people did that 'all the time'. The parting words of the supervisor who came Wednesday afternoon to assess the job for staffing needs were "well - we'll see you Friday morning..."
The job was cancelled Thursday morning.
Trust meI scrambled - once I stopped crying...
Lots of big changes to your plans but I think your right and I love your positive attitude.
Haven’t time to click on all the links in your last update just now ( school run beckons) but it sounds amazing and I love the photos you’ve put in there. I will be going back to read more but just wanted to wish you well with these last few days of packing up and getting on the road.